WHAT TO EXPECT – THE UNEXPECTED!

is some advice for increasing your odds of finding something really rare when seawatching:

Take advantage of any fast-moving and intense weather systems and check for seabird wrecks or inshore passage.

Think outside the box, such as trying spring seawatching and pelagics for Blackcapped Petrel.

Expect an increase in subtropical and tropical seabirds especially boobies, terns and tropicbirds, plus further records of Trindade Petrel.

A mind-boggling albatross, quite possibly a Wandering-type, and Mottled Petrel (pictured) could potentially grace the British list in the not too distant future!

Don’t forget seabird colonies. They attract vagrants – a Pterodroma in a mist-net is not impossible, nor is a Horned Puffin on a seabird cliff.